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This afternoon I stepped outside and the warmer temperatures wrapped me like a blanket. The sun shone on me and the warm breeze stirred my soul. It’s been cold the past few weeks. Only a couple of days ago the ground was covered with snow and ice. Today, there is little snow to be seen and the remnants are being chased away by the balmy weather. The kicker is I didn’t have anything to do with the high and low temps, the sun or the clouds filling the sky, the wild difference between now and the near past. All I did was stay warm on the cold days and breathe in the warmth this afternoon.

Life is mostly filled with things we have no control over. We want the ability, the power to make things bend to our will but this is an illusion. If we pursue this type of control our lives will be filled with suffering. The secret to contentment and peace is to allow life to progress at its pace and accept what we think is good and bad, wanted and unwanted, desired and abhorred.

When we are able to practice this discipline we discover the ever-present now is exactly what it needs to be and so are we.

It is COLD today. Thankfully the sun is out and the icicles and patches are melting. The yard looks so brown and bland. I went to check the mail last night and the ice on the grass crunched under my feet. It’s winter and though I try not to have favorites this particular season isn’t in my top three.

It’s hard to see the green for all the brown but knowledge, wisdom and experience tell me that it won’t stay that way. Even today, in spite of the cold, seeds are germinating and sometime, hopefully soon, they will make themselves known. I anticipate that day but need to be patient. Long, cold, seasons have their place in our lives. True, they help us appreciate other seasons when they come but finding peace and acceptance in the barren times is an important discipline.

Too often we project our lives to a period in front of or behind us when we can discover life, real life, exactly where we are now.

I received flowers for the first time in my life yesterday. Sure, Beth and I as a couple have gotten flowers and plants from family members and friends but flowers for just me? This was the first time. My wife and I opened the box and pulled out a beautiful Peace Lilly (pictured). It is a luscious green with one bloom but the potential for several more. There was also a candle and condolence card. The gifts were from my co-workers and I’m thankful to work with such kind souls.

We placed the flower on a stand near a window where it will receive plenty of sun. I’ve looked at it many times today and have reflected on the last couple of long weeks since my father passed. I like that the Lilly isn’t in full bloom yet. It’s symbolic. It’s a reminder that peace will come in its time. Right now we are in the early stages f grief and there may be moments of peace but it hasn’t healed the wounds in our hearts. However, if we give it time we will notice blossoms of peace spring up more and more until one day, hopefully, there will be more peace than sorrow.

Until then, we’ll hold to the promise, the hope, that better days are ahead.

I spent most of the day traveling. Driving can be dangerous at all times but today especially as I went through Atlanta, Georgia. Over the weekend Mother Nature dumped several inches of snow in the area and though the skies were a crystal blue today and the sun shone brightly the melting snow was flying off the back of some semi-trucks. Huge pieces would be loosened by the sun and the drafts of air as they made their way along the interstate. One second you’re minding your own business the next you’re in a one-sided snowball fight!

Life has a way of giving and taking. I think we’d enjoy the good more if we knew how much the taking would hurt. Life also has a way of covering us with joy and sadness. We bask in the joy but when the sadness envelops us it can seem one-sided, unfair and unwanted.

Accepting life and all it sends us can be as easy as letting the sun shine on our face and as difficult as trying to dodge an unexpected avalanche from a semi but both are required if we are to experience life fully.

Late this morning and early afternoon I weed whacked and push mowed around all the trees in the front yard and back. It may only be June 3rd but it was hot and the sun shone with its full glory and intensity. Our back yard has an uphill grade to it that felt much steeper as the morning turned into noon and I pushed the mower. The weed whacker seemingly gained weight as I hauled it all over the property. Finally, around mid-afternoon I finished and felt such relief putting the equipment away and then sitting on the porch, drenched in sweat, drinking water, wiping my forehead with a towel, basking in the shade of our big Oak tree. I still had a few things to do but for a moment I needed rest.

Finally, around mid-afternoon I finished and felt such relief putting the equipment away and then sitting on the porch, drenched in sweat, drinking water, wiping my forehead with a towel, basking in the shade of our big Oak tree. I still had a few things to do but for a moment I needed rest.

I like the quote (pictured) but the sun can drain us as well as “cast the shadow of our burdens behind us.” Today it was nice to find shade, shelter, rest from the blazing orb in the sky.

There are some seasons where we cast our burdens away and others when we need to stop to catch our breath, replenish our souls and be thankful the sun not only gives light but casts shade.

Politics! It’s everywhere! I am so tired and weary of this political season. It has drained me of my hope for this country’s current political structure to right itself and begin to work again. The machinations of government are lost and we’re quickly losing any sense of the nation that once was a beacon. This is not; “morning in America!” but a nightmare which we may never awake from.

Outside of my front door is a large Oak tree. I love this tree, if one can love a tree. Its been growing for longer than this season’s politicians have been alive. It stands majestically in the front yard, tall, strong and laughs at the power grabs we humans make. It scoffs at our illusion of self-importance. There is a hill behind my house which gently slopes up. I often walk to the top and look around and see countless trees, hills, skies, the sun or moon and am reminded of how small we truly are and our lack of importance compared to nature. Our limited existence on this insignificant rock spinning in space we call home is rather puny.

I have to admit the thought of either candidates winning the current election sends chills down my spine and into my spirit. I don’t see how anyone can vote for either one. I hear people say; “If you don’t vote for this one, the other one is going to win!” as if an unprecedented cataclysm will befall the Earth. It’s just hype. It’s not true. We don’t have that kind of power. Its us pumping up and tripping over our ego.

We did not bring into being the life, rhythm and purpose of existence. We cannot end it. Go outside, look at the sky, be reminded of our smallness. Take a breath, let go, remember who you are and who you aren’t.

Like this:

Yesterday afternoon I sat on the hill behind our house reflecting on the week. There was a stiff wind blowing and I was thankful for a jacket and a toboggan. It has been cool and rainy most of the week but at that moment it was warm and sunny. According to the weather forecasters the strong breeze was bringing with it warmer temps for a few days. Though the air was cool the sun shining on my face felt nice and my spirit brightened at the thought of spring; long days, green grass, trees brimming with leaves, shorts and t-shirts. It isn’t here yet but I believe it’s on the way.

Winter is a long and difficult season for me. Being inside, sheltered from the cold, short days and long nights spent covered in blankets, sends chills into my soul. However, yesterday, sitting on the hill, I felt different, more alive and hopeful for better days.

Like this:

“Sunny days keepin’ the clouds away I think we’re coming to a clearing and a brighter day So far away. Still I think they say The wait will make the heart grow stronger or fonder I can’t quite remember anyway So if you’re waitin’ for love Well it’s a promise I’ll keep If you don’t mind believing that it changes everything Then time will never matter Winter, Spring… is what love can truly bring Ice turns to water, water flows to everything You can lose your mind, maybe then your heart you’ll find I hope you won’t give up what’s moving you inside If the car won’t start, when you turn the key When the music comes on, all your cold, cold heart can do is skip a beat It’s a promise I’ll keep When you’re waitin’ for love If you don’t mind believing that it changes everything Then time will never matter.”Jars of Clay, Sunny Days

One of my favorite songs by Jars of Clay is “Sunny Days.” I’ve been thinking about this song today as the sun finally made its long-awaited appearance after 5 straight days of clouds and rain. It was beautiful. I loved the sight of it, the warmth, the reminder that light can never be eclipsed forever, although at times it may certainly seem so.

Yesterday was a bad day. I slipped on the cabin stairs and hurt my back, my head hurt, buckets of cold miserable rain fell most of the day and by the time I got home I was spent, completely drained. My insomnia hasn’t gotten better over the last 4 1/2 weeks so last night I went to bed as early as possible. I awoke long before dawn but this morning, when I saw the parting of the clouds, the blue of the sky, the orange rays of the sun, it was worth long night, the darkness endured when I beheld the glory of the light.